Connection system and squib connector therefor

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a squib connector for mating with a squib holder and to a corresponding, connection system. system according to any of the preceding claims, said connector. The inventive squib connector is adapted to be used for an inventive connection system between a squib connector and a complementary squib holder, said connection system has one locking means ( 134, 135, 211 ) and one unmating means ( 180 ), said locking means being adapted to be automatically actuated by the consolidation of the squib connector with the squib holder for automatically and securely locking the squib connector and the squib holder in fully mated condition and to be deactivated by the selective actuation of the unmating means necessary for separating the squib connector and the squib holder.

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a squib connector for mating with a squibholder or header connector holding the squib to supply the squib withelectric energy for operating for example an airbag system and to acorresponding connection system.

STATE OF THE ART

Usually, in any condition in which a squib connector is not fully matedwith a complementary squib holder and hence, is not fully connected tothe squib thereof a shunt or shorting means mounted within the squibholder has to short-circuiting the contact terminals of the squib holderas an electrical protection. Only in case the squib connector is fullymated with the squib holder and hence, the contact terminals of thesquib connector are fully connected to the contact terminals of squibthe shunt is deactivated for the activation of the squib operatingcircuit, for example operating an inflator in response to electricenergy supplied by the squib connector controlled by a control system.

Thus, in particular in case of using such a connector assembly for anairbag system a very sensible connection system has to be ensured, i.e.on the one hands side the fully mated condition between the squibconnector and the squib holder connector must be very safe and on theother hands side, the connection should be very easy to handle withregard to the assembly and to the disassembly.

For example, for enabling a secure condition, connection systems formating a squib connector and a squib holder connector are known, thatprovide first and second locking means. In these cases, the squibconnector and the squib holder connector are consolidated during a firstmating step into a pre-mated or not fully secured mated condition andthan the second locking means has to be actuated by a second mating stepin a position in which a fully secured mated condition is achievedthereby fixing the first locking means in its locking position by theactuation of the second locking means. Thus, by using first and secondlocking means a two-step mating process has to be performed. Moreover,even for disassembly the two connectors a two-step unmating process hasto be performed, too.

It is also known to provide a locking means which however can be onlyinserted into its securing position after the squib connector and thesquib holder have been fully mated but are still unsecured in thiscondition. Hence, a two-step mating process as well as a two-stepunmating process have to be performed, too.

In case of providing a connection system for securely mating a squibconnector and a squib holder connector by use of only one locking meansand by a one-step mating process, the disassembly however, to date isvery difficult or even impossible.

Moreover, even with regard to the shunt means a variety of complexstructures are known for ensuring that the shunt is deactivated for theactivation of the squib operating circuit only in case the squibconnector is fully and securely mated with the squib holder connector.

As a consequence, even if a plurality of squib connectors and connectionsystems for mating such squib connector with a squib holder connector isknown, many and further problems and drawbacks are involved therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A main object of the invention is to provide a new and improved way ofsecurely mating and unmating a squib connector and a squib holdereasily.

The invention solution achieved by a connection system and by a squibconnector comprising the features of claims 1 or 15.

Preferred and/or advantageous embodiments and refinements in particularfor solving further objects are the subject matter of the remainingclaims.

Accordingly, the invention proposes a connection system between a squibconnector and a complementary squib holder, said connection systemhaving one locking means and one unmating means, said locking meansbeing adapted to be automatically actuated by the consolidation of thesquib connector with the squib holder for automatically and securelylocking the squib connector and the squib holder in fully matedcondition and to be deactivated by the selective actuation of theunmating means for separating the squib connector and the squib holder.

Thus already by a correspondingly adapted squib connector to be used forsuch connection system no further assembly steps than just theconsolidation of the squib connector and a squib holder are necessaryfor securely locking the squib connector and the squib holder in fullymated condition and hence, only a one-step mating process can be easilyperformed. Moreover, as the locking means also is automaticallydeactivated merely by separating the squib connector and the squibholder using a specific unmating means a one-step for the unmating isensured, too. Moreover, any unwanted or unintentional unmating of thesquib connector and the squib holder, i.e. without the selectiveactuation of the unmating means, is avoided.

A further object of the invention is to provide a secure activation anddeactivation of a shunt mounted within the squib holder forshort-circuiting or non-short-circuiting electrical contact terminalsprovided within the squib holder.

This object is solved in that said unmating means and said locking meansare adapted to be in interacting relationship for deactivating shuntmeans of said squib holder in a non-shortening position only when thelocking means is in the securely locking condition and the unmatingmeans is deactivated. As a result, due to such interacting relationshipit is ensured that the shunt means is being always in the shorteningposition if the squib connector and the squib holder is not in the fullymated operating condition and is deactivated in such mated operatingcondition.

For further enhancing the secureness in that said shortening circuit isactivated automatically when the one-step unmating process begins andaccording to very preferred refinement said unmating means and saidshunt means being adapted to cause a movement of the shunt means fromthe non-shortening position to a shortening position immediately uponthe actuation of the unmating means.

Thus only in fully mated condition the shunt will be deactivated andwill be activated just when the separation process begins to beactivated.

Moreover, for avoiding any electrostatic discharge during the mating orunmating process, the invention proposes a squib connector having atleast one ground terminal which is adapted to be connected with shuntmeans of the squib holder prior to the connection of contact terminalsof the squib connector with the contact terminals of the squib holderduring the mating process, to be connected with said shunt means as longas the squib connector and the squib holder being mated and to bedisconnected from said shunt means only after the complementary contactterminals of the squib connector and the squib holder have beendisconnected during the unmating process.

As very advantageous embodiments is it proposed an inventive connectionsystem of which said squib connector having a housing defining a matingaxis, a mating direction and a mating coupling side in such a mannerthat said locking means comprising at least one locking arm having alatch means being adapted for engaging perpendicularly to said matingaxis complementary latch means provided by an area of said squib holder,each said locking arm being cantilevered attached to said housing,extending in the mating direction and providing a restoring force to beelastically bent by a force applied in a direction generally reverse tothe engaging direction of said latch means, each said locking arm beingadapted to be aligned to said squib holder area for axially abuttingagainst said squib holder area during the consolidation, to definetogether with that squib holder area an inclined abutting interfacethere between for causing a force reverse to said engagement directionduring the consolidation and to be at least partially released inresponse to the engagement of the latch means with the complementarylatch means in fully mated condition.

Accordingly, by providing a cantilevered locking arm extending with itsfree end in the direction of a mating direction, wherein the free endhas to be forced against an elastic restitution thereof until a latchmeans of said locking arm can engage in a released condition of saidlocking arm a complementary latch means a safety one-step mating processcan be performed and in a force back effect is created as long as thelocking arm is under mechanical stress and hence the squib connectorwill be ejected if not fully locked.

Preferably, said unmating means being supported in said housing, too,and being axially movable from the outside of the housing reverse to themating direction from a first position to a second position, andcomplementary interacting cam means are provided between each saidlocking arm and said unmating means for applying a force to said lockingarm reverse to said engagement direction in response to moving theunmating means from said first to said second position for disengagingsaid locking arm latch means out of said complementary latch means.Thus, by providing said unmating means as a movable actuator inside thehousing, movable from the outside between a non-actuated and an actuatedposition and with a cam piece of the actuator also forcing the free endof the locking arm in said reverse direction in response to theactivation of the actuator a very effective disengaging mechanism isprovided to enable the unmating of the squib connector from the squibholder connector.

For the provision of an always defined interacting relationship saidcomplementary interacting cam-means preferably are in loose engagementin said first position, i.e. non-actuated position, and are in fullengagement in said second position, i.e. actuated position.

A very advantageous structural embodiment for avoiding any unwanted orunintentional unmating of the squib connector and the squib holder isachieved by a connection system, wherein each of said locking arm latchmeans and said complementary latch means being formed with a surfaceadapted for preventing axial separation, each said surface being planarand in a plane generally perpendicular to said mating axis at leastduring interengagement.

Preferably, each of the locking arm latch means and the complementarylatch means can be formed hook-like. As an alternative or in additioneach of the locking arm latch means and the complementary latch meanscan be formed at the free end of said locking arm male-like extendingoutwardly in radial direction and is adapted to be firstly mechanicallystressed by said squib holder-area in response to the consolidation andthen to be caught by said complementary latch means having a female-likegroove.

According to further improved embodiments the inventive solutionproposes a connection system, wherein the unmating means comprises foreach said locking arm a corresponding unmating arm and saidcomplementary interacting cam means are provided between each saidlocking arm and said corresponding unmating arm, wherein each of saidunmating arm is joint to a bar means being in said first positiongenerally aligned with a squib connector outer surface opposite to themating coupling side but providing access for its actuation and/orwherein the unmating means has a shunt deactivating means, saiddeactivating means being adapted for pushing in response to said firstposition and to said fully mated condition a resilient short-circuitingcontact portion of a shunt means mounted in said squib holder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a functionality foravoiding any damaging during mating of the squib connector with thesquib holder connector.

Based thereon said mating coupling side of said squib connector isprovided with a scoop-proof mating interface for the squib holdercontact terminals to be electrically coupled with respectivecomplementary contact terminals of the squib connector. Preferably, saidmating interface comprises for each of said squib holder contactterminals a receptacle having a hemispherical drifting insertionopening, i.e. a kind of bullet nose shape, for guiding said squib holdercontact terminals into said receptacle.

Based on the afore discussed inventive connection system acorrespondingly adapted inventive squib connector ensuring correspondingadvantages preferably has at least one locking arm being cantileveredattached to said housing, extending in the mating direction andproviding a restoring force to be elastically bent by a force applied ina general inwardly radial direction with regard to said mating axis andhas unmating means being supported in said housing and axially movablefrom the outside reverse to the mating direction from a first positionto a second position with regard to said housing, wherein each saidlocking arm has latch means being adapted for securely engaging in ageneral outwardly radial direction complementary latch means of a squibholder in fully mated condition of the squib connector and the squibholder connector, each said locking arm being adapted to beautomatically impact by a force applied in said inwardly radialdirection in response to consolidating the squib connector and the squibholder and to be at least partially released in response to said fullymated condition for automatically interengaging said locking arm latchmeans with said complementary latch means of said squib holder in, andwherein complementary interacting cam means are provided between eachsaid locking arm and said unmating means for applying a force to saidlocking arm in said inwardly radial direction in response to moving theunmating means from said first to said second position for disengagingsaid locking arm latch means in said fully mated condition.

Each of said cam means is advantageously provided by a V-like notchformed at the unmating means and by a kind of wedge formed at thelocking arm, said V-like notch being open reverse to the matingdirection and said apex or vertex of said wedge is directed in themating direction. Preferably, said notch and said wedge being in looseengagement in said first position and said wedge has a radial outwardlyoffset to said notch in said first position.

According to further improved embodiments of the inventive squibconnector, each said locking arm being adapted to axially abut against asquib holder area comprising said complementary latch means, and to formbetween said locking arm and said squib holder area at least oneinclined abutting interface; each of said locking arm latch means beingformed with a surface adapted for preventing axial separation duringinterengagement, said surface being formed to provide a plane generallyperpendicular to said mating axis at least during interengagement; saidunmating means comprises at least one protrusion adapted for onlypushing in response to said first position and to said fully matedcondition at least resilient short-circuiting contact portion of a shuntmeans mounted in said complementary squib holder for deactivating saidshort-circuiting contact portion, preferably said unmating meanscomprises for each said locking arm a corresponding unmating arm havingrespective one said protrusion adapted for pushing respective oneresilient short-circuiting contact portion; said housing provides ascoop-proof mating interface for squib holder contact terminals to beelectrically coupled with respective complementary contact terminals ofthe squib holder, preferably said mating interface comprises for each ofsaid squib holder contact terminals a receptacle having a hemisphericaldrifting insertion opening for guiding said squib holder contactterminal into said receptacle.

Preferably in addition, the squib connector comprises at least oneground terminal having a dimension and/or configuration adapted to comeinto permanent contact with shunt means of the squib holder prior to thecoupling of the complementary contact terminals of the squib connectorand the squib holder. This avoids any electrostatic discharge inside thesystem which could ignite the pyrotechnic device.

According to further refinements, said inventive squib connectorincludes sealing means incorporated within said connector for sealingthe interior. For achieving a fully sealed connector, in particular itis proposed that the sealing means comprises at least one sealing gasketarranged within the housing and/or preferably a silicone gel injected orassembled into the housing. Moreover, in addition a circular gasket isattached at the mating coupling side of the housing for interfacialsealing between the housing and the mated complementary squib holder.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent by thefollowing more detailed description based on a preferred but exemplarembodiment and taking into account the accompanied drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings

FIG. 1 is showing an exploded view of a preferred squib connectorincorporating the invention,

FIG. 2 showing the squib connector of FIG. 1 but with the squibconnector components assembled together and seen from the matingcoupling side of the squib connector,

FIG. 3 showing the squib connector of FIG. 2 mated with a complementarysquib holder,

FIG. 4 showing a cross-section along the mating axis of the squibconnector locked in fully mated and secured condition with acomplementary squib holder and with an unmating means or actuator of thesquib connector for separating being in a first or non-actuatedposition,

FIG. 5 showing a cross-section according to FIG. 3 but with the actuatorof the squib connector being pulled in a second or actuated positiondisengaging locking means for separating the squib connector and thesquib holder,

FIG. 6 showing a cross-section according to FIG. 4 but with the squibconnector being additionally slightly lifted into a position ofseparation by further pulling the actuator,

FIG. 7 showing a cross-section along the mating axis of the squibconnector prior to be fully mated with a complementary squib holder andwith the unmating means or actuator of the squib connector forseparating being in the first or non-actuated position,

FIG. 8 a more detailed sectional view of the interacting relationshipbetween the unmating means and the locking means during fully matedconnector condition and non-actuated actuator condition,

FIG. 9 a more detailed sectional view of the interacting relationshipbetween the unmating means and the locking means during fully matedconnector condition and actuated actuator position for disengaging thelocking means for separating the squib connector and the squib holder,

FIGS. 10 a, 10 b show partial cross-sections along the mating axis ofthe squib connector during an initial phase of mating process with acomplementary squib holder, respectively seen from a slightly differentperspective rotated around the mating axis, and

FIGS. 11 a, 11 b show partial cross-sections along the mating axis ofthe squib connector during a final phase of mating process with acomplementary squib holder, respectively seen from the perspectives ofFIGS. 10 a, 10 b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED BUT EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THEINVENTION

In the following description a preferred but exemplar embodiment of asquib connector according to the invention is described based on theattached Figures.

A such preferred but exemplar inventive embodiment of a squib connectoris depicted in FIG. 1 in exploded view prior to the assemblage ofseveral squib connector components.

In the Figures, the entire squib connector generally is referenced with100 and a complementary squib holder or header connector holding thesquib generally is referenced with 200.

The squib connector 100 incorporates a connector housing comprising anouter connector main housing 110 supporting in principal all furthersquib connector components and covered by a cover 170. Opposite to thecover 170, the squib connector has a mating coupling side and theconnector main housing 110 provides a mating opening, as can be seen inFIG. 2, for mating the squib connector with a complementary squibholder. The squib connector 100 mated with a complementary squib holderconnector 200 can be seen in a general way for example in FIG. 3.

For the following description, the side from which the cover 170 ismounted to the connector main housing 110 is called upper side and theopposite side at which the mating opening being provided is calledbottom side. The entire squib connector defines a mating axis M_(A) anda mating direction M_(D) leading from the upper side to the bottom sideas it is shown in FIG. 1 by the dotted arrow.

Inside said connector main housing 110 an interfacial seal 120 enclosingthe mating opening is mounted for sealing functionality between thesquib connector 100 and the complementary squib holder when matedtogether. The sealing functionality between the squib connector 100 andthe complementary squib holder 200 formed as kind of socket connectorand provided by the afore mentioned arrangement of the interfacial seal120 assembled within the connector main housing 110 can be seen forexample in FIGS. 4 to 7. Based on FIG. 1, the interfacial seal 120 isinserted into the connector main housing 110 from the upper side.

However, even an insertion from the bottom side may be possible.

Preferably, a further insert connector housing 130 is attached withinthe connector main housing 110 for providing an application specificmating interface. The insert connector housing 130 is formed withthrough passages adapted for housing squib connector terminals 140.

Based on the embodiment, two terminals 141 of said squib connectorterminals 140 being adapted for the electrical connection withcomplementary header pin terminals 400 of the squib holder and oneterminal 142 of said squib connector terminals 140 being adapted as aground terminal for the permanent electrical connection with a squibholder shunt means (not depicted) at least during the fully matedcondition of the two connectors. The wires of the terminals 141 areengaged by a ferrite body 143. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 as wellas from FIGS. 10 a, 10 b, 11 a, 11 b the ground terminal 142 has alength and is arranged within the squib connector and at its matingcoupling side such that prior to the coupling of the contact terminals141 with complementary contact terminals 400 (FIGS. 10 a, 10 b, 11 a, 11b ) of a squib holder a permanent electrical connection between theground terminal 142 and a corresponding shunt means or header groundterminal 350 (FIGS. 10 a, 10 b, 11 a, 11 b) can be provided for avoidingany electrostatic discharge inside the system which could ignite thepyrotechnic device.

Furthermore the insert connector housing 130 has two elastic lockingarms 134 formed laterally at the insert connector housing 130 onopposite outer sides thereof, being part of a locking means andextending in mating direction M_(D). Moreover parallel to the matingaxis M_(A), two through passages 131 are formed within the insertconnector housing 130 adapted for the passing through of actuator arms181. Each of the passages 131 is aligned to one of the locking arms 134such that an actuator arm 181 passing through a passage 131 ispositioned with regard to the respective aligned locking arm 134 with aslight inward-looking radial offset, as it can be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 to9.

For improved sealing functionality of the inside of the connector mainhousing 110, an optional internal sealing gasket 160 is placed above theinserted terminals 140 onto the connector main housing 110. A wiregasket 150 is fitted around the terminal cabling and placed at cablingopenings of the connector main housing 110 to ensure a sealed throughpassing of the cabling, as can be seen in FIG. 2, too. The internalsealing gasket 160 provides two through passages 161 axially alignedwith the actuator arms through passages 131 of the insert connectorhousing 130, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 to 7, too. It should bementioned, that in particular the wire gasket 150 and/or the internalsealing gasket 160 of the sealing components could be replaced forexample by a silicon gel connector filling. Moreover, the sealing of theconnector main housing even can be done by only using a silicone gelseal, in particular by using a gel having a correspondingly increasedviscosity.

After the insertion of the housed components the cover 170 is mounted tothe connector main housing 110. The outer surfaces of the cover 170 andthe connector main housing 110 generally define the outer dimensions ofthe squib connector 100.

The cover 170 is formed with an opening 173 adapted to receive thereinan unmating means providing an actuator 180 adapted for disconnecting orseparating the squib connector 100 from the squib holder.

According to the described embodiment, the actuator 180 is U-formed andhas two cantilevered arms 181 spaced from each other and extend fromopposite ends of a joining base portion 182. In assembled condition ofthe actuator 180 within the connector housing by its insertion into thecover opening 173, the base portion 182 is supported within the opening173 of the cover 170. The opening 173 and the arms 181 being aligned tosaid through passages 161 and 131 for leading through the free ends ofthe arms 181 in assembled condition.

In the fully assembled and non-actuated condition of the actuator 180,the base portion 182 may rest on the sealing gasket 160, as can be seenin FIGS. 4 and 7. The actuation of the actuator 180 is performed, asdescribed in more detail below, by pulling or lifting the actuator 180somewhat out of the cover 170, i.e. in reverse direction with regard tothe mating direction M_(D), to a second position, as can be seen inFIGS. 5 and 6.

Thus for avoiding any unwanted actuation, in the assembled non-actuatedcondition of the actuator 180, the base portion 182 preferably issupported within the opening 173 such that the upper side of the baseportion 182 is being flush with the upper side of the cover 170. For aneasy actuation of the actuator 180 however, the opening 173 and/or theactuator 180 being adapted to provide an easy actuation access means fora wrench or a similar tool or even for fingers of a person. Therefore,in the depicted preferred embodiment of the inventive squib connector100 and as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cover 170 isformed at its upper side with two salient protuberances 175 definingthere between the opening 173. In assembled and non-actuated conditionof the actuator 180 the opposite ends of the joining base portion 182from which the cantilevered arms 181 extend rest against the salientprotuberances 175 and snap means 183 at said the opposite ends interactwith complementary means of the salient protuberances 175 for locating.The salient protuberances 175 of the cover 170 being adapted to providean outer surface part of the cover flush with the outer surface of thebasis 182 during the first or non-actuated position of the unmatingmeans 180 in the connector housing. Thus, an easy actuation access meansfingers of a person is provided. Moreover, opposite to the outer surfaceof the basis 182, i.e. at the inner side of the basis which faces theopening, a notch 184 is formed in the basis 182 and at least one nose174 of the cover is slightly projecting into the opening 173. Ininserted and non-actuated position of the actuator 180 within theconnector 100 the notch 184 of the basis rests on the nose 174 such thatan easy actuation access means for a wrench or a similar tool isprovided, too.

The two cantilevered locking arms 134 of the insert connector housing130 are adapted for automatically securing or locking a fully matedcondition of the squib connector 100 and the complementary squib holder200 upon said condition is reached during a one-step mating processforcing the squib connector onto or into the squib holder in fully matedcondition.

Therefore, each of the cantilevered locking arms 134 extending in themating direction M_(D) has at its free end a latch means 135 extendingperpendicular to the mating axis M_(A) and being sized, located andaligned for engaging a complementary latch means 211 of the squib holder200 and to be interlocked therewith upon fully mated together. Due tothe cantilevered arrangement, the locking arms 134 provide a restoringforce to be elastically bent by a force applied in a direction generallyreverse to the engaging direction of said latch means 135.

According to the depicted embodiment and as can be seen in particular inFIGS. 4 to 9, each cantilevered locking arm 134 has at its free end alatch projection 135 extending in a general radial outward directionwith regard to the mating axis M_(A). The latch projection 135 beingsized, located and aligned for engaging a complementary latch groove 211of the squib holder 200 upon fully mated together, merely byconsolidating the squib connector 100 and the squib holder 200.

As a consequence, the free end of the locking arm 134 has to be moved ina direction reverse to the extension of the latch projection 135 priorto lock a fully mated condition of the squib connector 100 with thesquib holder 200. This is achieved by sizing, locating and aligning thelocking arm 134 together with the latch projection 135 within the squibconnector 100 for causing a correspondingly directed force during themating process by the complementary squib holder 200.

FIG. 7 is showing a cross-section along the mating axis of the squibconnector 100 prior to be fully mated with a complementary squib holder200 and with the actuator 180 of the squib connector for separatingbeing in the first or non-actuated position.

According to said embodiment, the locking arm 134 together with thelatch projection 135 being sized, located and aligned for axiallyabutting with the latch projection 135 upon a counter profile 210 of thesquib holder 200 during the mating process, wherein the latch groove 211is formed at a defined axially distance from said point of abutment inmating direction M_(D). At least one of the latch projection 135 and ofthe counter profile 210 is formed with an inclined abutting surfacedefining together with the mating axis M_(A) an angle between 0° and90°. According to the depicted embodiment the counter profile area 210provides such an inclined surface 212. However, in addition or as analternative, the bottom side surface of the latching projection 135 maybe adapted as such an inclined abutting surface, for example.

Thus, due to the springy flexibility of the locking arm 134 however, thefree end having the latch projection 135 can be forced in a radialdirection inwardly, i.e. reverse to the extension of the latchprojection 135, merely by further consolidating the squib connector 100and the squib holder 200 for bypassing the counter portion 210 andhence, for enabling the passing of the locking arm 134 further along themating direction M_(D) down to the groove 211 of the squib holder 200where the locking arm 134 is released again as the locking projection135 engages the groove 211 and being caught therein.

Thus the counter portion 210 together with the groove 211 is defining akind of hook and the free end of the locking arm together with the latchprojection 135 is defining a kind of complementary hook, too.

Accordingly, during the one-step-mating-process the locking arms 134 areunder mechanical stress condition on the squib header until the squibconnector 100 is fully locked in final position on the squib header. Asthe force created thereby is directed not only in a radial and inwarddirection but also reverse to the mating direction the squib connector100 will be ejected if not locked at 100%.

It is mentioned however, that even the free end of the locking arm canbe provided with a groove extending inwardly radial and the squib holderis formed with a complementary latch projection.

Preferably, at least two locking arms 134 adapted for locking said fullymated condition are positioned at opposite lateral sides of the insertconnector housing for avoiding any unintentional misalignment in saidlocked position.

For avoiding any unwanted-separation of the squib connector 100 and thesquib holder 200 in fully mated condition each of said locking arm latchprojection 135 being formed with an upper side surface 136 and saidcomplementary latch groove 211 being formed with a surface 213 facingduring interengagement the surface 136. Both of said surfaces beingformed to provide a plane generally perpendicular to said mating axis atleast during interengagement and hence, being adapted for preventingaxial separation.

As a consequence, for unmating the squib connector 100 and the squibholder 200, the locking arm 134 has to be moved again-in the directionreverse to the extension of the latch projection 135 prior to unlock thefully mated condition of the squib connector 100 with the squib holder200.

This is achieved by again deflecting the locking arm 134 inwardly todisengage the latch projection 135 from the recess or groove 211 bymeans of the activation of the actuator 180. The preferred mechanismbetween the actuator 180 and the locking arm 134 for unmating isdescribed in the following.

Said mechanism comprises complementary interacting cam-means betweeneach said locking arms 134 and said respective actuator arms 181 that isin loose engagement in said first or non-actuated position of theactuator during the consolidation process (FIG. 7) and the fully andsecurely mated condition (FIG. 4, 8) of the squib connector 100 and thesquib holder 200 and that is in full engagement in said second positionor actuated position for the separation of the squib connector 100 andthe squib holder 200 (FIGS. 5, 6, 9).

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 9 each actuator arm 181 is supportedwithin the squib connector housing to affect a respective locking armfrom the opposite side with regard to the squib holder area 211 duringconsolidation. Moreover, each actuator arm 181 extends more in directionof the mating direction M_(D) than the locking arm 134. The free end ofthe actuator arm 181 is formed with a kind of V-notch 185, the V beingopen reverse to the mating direction M_(D). The free end of the lockingarm 134 is formed in addition to the latch projection 135 with awedge-like shape 137 of which the apex or vertex is directed in themating direction MD and aligned with the V-notch 185 but having a radialoutwardly offset to said notch 185 as long as the actuator is in thenon-actuated position (FIGS. 4, 7, 8). The dimensions of the actuatorarms 181 and of the locking arms 134 are adapted to be in looseengagement with each other by means of said V-notch 185 and the wedge137, substantially without influencing each other.

If the actuator 180 is pulled, as described above, the loose engagementbetween the V-notch 185 and the wedge 137 moves into an influencingengagement, i.e. the wedge 137 is received by the V-notch 185 as can beseen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, thereby pulling the free end of the lockingarm 134 in radial direction inwardly and the latch projection 135 ispulled out of the recess 211 and enabling the bypassing of the latchprojection 135 at the area 211 of the squib holder 200. As the wedge 137and the V-notch 185 in released condition are slightly off-set from eachother the locking arm 134 is pulled in said radial direction inwardlyupon when the wedge 137 is received deeper within the V-notch 185. Thus,the actuator can be moved inside the squib connector housing only up tothe second position and is then picking up the whole squib connector sothat the entire unmating process can be performed only by pulling oractivating the actuator 180.

To avoid any tilting of the locking arm 134 upon the activation of theactuator preferably to each lateral side of the locking arm a respectivewedge 137 and V-notch 185 is formed.

Moreover, the free end of the actuator arm 181 has a prolongedprotrusion 186 extending in the mating direction MD and sized for onlydeflecting in fully and secured mated condition a spring loaded shuntmeans 300 supported within the squib holder 200 to move it out ofcontact with a respective header contact terminal 400, as can be bestseen in FIG. 8. Thus, just when the actuator 180 is activated for theseparation of the squib connector 100 and the squib holder, i.e. ispulled slightly out of the cover 170 at the same time the protrusion 186is moved back from the shunt means 300 and hence the shunt means isagain contacting the contact terminal 400 for short-circuiting regions,as can be best seen in FIG. 9.

As a consequence, during the mating process the two header pins 400 ofthe squib holder 200 are short circuited by the spring-loaded shuntmeans 300 until the squib connector is securely and fully locked. Theelectrical contact however between the header pins 400 and the twoconnector terminals 141 is given prior to the fully locked position.Furthermore, as described above, prior to the electrical contact betweenthe header pins 400 and the two connector terminals 141, the groundterminal 142 of the squib connector already is in permanent electricalcontact with a corresponding shunt means part 350 of the squib holder.This can be seen in particular from FIGS. 10 a and 10 b showing aninitial phase of the mating process from two different perspectives andfrom FIGS. 11 a and 11 b showing an final phase of the mating processfrom that two different perspectives. Thus, during the initial phase asdepicted, electrical contact between the ground terminal 142 and aheader ground terminal 350 is given but no electrical contact betweenthe header signal pins 400 and the connector signal terminals 141.During the final phase as depicted, electrical contacts between theground terminal 142 and a header ground terminal 350 as well as betweenthe header signal pins 400 and the connector signal terminals 141 aregiven.

Moreover, the actuation of the actuator 180 causes a very early shortcircuiting of the terminal pins 400 of the squib holder as theprotrusion 186 is releasing the spring loaded shunt means 300 prior toany disconnection of the contact terminals 140 from the header pincontact terminals 400. In addition, due to the preferred configurationof the ground terminal 142 of the squib connector, a full disconnectionof the contact terminals 140 from the header pin contact terminals 400is being performed prior to any disconnection of the permanentelectrical contact between the ground terminal 142 of the squibconnector and the corresponding shunt means part of the squib holder(not depicted).

Moreover, as can be seen from FIG. 2 the front or mating face of theinsert connector 130 has a “bullet nose” shape provided by a respectivescoop proof interface of the insert housing 130. In more detail passagesfor receiving the header pins 400 to be electrically coupled with thecontact terminals 141 of the squib connector are provided with achamfered inner mating surface or preferably a hemispherical driftinginsertion opening 138 for guiding said header pins 400 into the passagesand hence, to avoid damaging of the male pins 400 of the squib holder200 during the mating process.

REFERENCE SIGNS

100 squib connector

-   -   110 outer connector main housing    -   120 interfacial seal    -   130 insert connector housing        -   131 through passages        -   134 locking arms        -   135 latch means        -   136 surface        -   137 cam means        -   138 opening    -   140 squib connector terminals        -   141 terminals        -   142 ground terminal        -   143 ferrite body    -   150 wire gasket    -   160 sealing gasket        -   161 through passages    -   170 cover        -   173 opening        -   174 nose        -   175 salient protuberances    -   180 unmating means/actuator        -   181 actuator arms        -   182 base portion        -   183 snap means        -   184 notch        -   185 cam means        -   186 protrusion

200 squib holder

-   -   210 counter profile    -   211 latch means    -   212 inclined surface    -   213 surface

300 shunt means

350 header ground terminal

400 header contact terminals

M_(A) mating axis

M_(D) mating direction

1. A connection system between a squib connector and a complementarysquib holder, said connection system having one locking means (134, 135,211) and one unmating means (180), said locking means being adapted tobe automatically actuated by the consolidation of the squib connectorwith the squib holder for automatically and securely locking the squibconnector and the squib holder in fully mated condition and to bedeactivated by the selective actuation of the unmating means necessaryfor separating the squib connector and the squib holder.
 2. Connectionsystem of claim 1, wherein the squib holder comprises shunt-means (300)for shortening contact terminals mounted within said squib holder, andwherein the unmating means and the locking means are in interactingrelationship for deactivating the shunt means in a non-shorteningposition when the locking means is in the securely locking condition andthe unmating means is deactivated.
 3. Connection system of claim 2,wherein the unmating means and the shunt means being adapted to cause amovement of the shunt means from the non-shortening position to ashortening position immediately upon the actuation of the unmatingmeans.
 4. Connection system of claim 1, wherein the squib connector hasat least one ground terminal (142) which is adapted to be connected withshunt means of the squib holder prior to the connection of contactterminals of the squib connector with the contact terminals of the squibholder during the mating process, to be connected with said shunt meansas long as the squib connector and the squib holder being mated and tobe disconnected from said shunt means only after the complementarycontact terminals of the squib connector and the squib holder have beendisconnected.
 5. Connection system of any of claim 1, wherein said squibconnector having a housing (110, 130) defining a mating axis (M_(A)), amating direction (M_(D)) and a mating coupling side, said locking meanscomprising at least one locking arm (134) having a latch means (135)being adapted for engaging perpendicularly to said mating axiscomplementary latch means (211) provided by an area of said squibholder, each said locking arm (134) being cantilevered attached to saidhousing, extending in the mating direction and providing a restoringforce to be elastically bent by a force applied in a direction generallyreverse to the engaging direction of said latch means (135), each saidlocking arm (134) being adapted to be aligned to said squib holder areafor axially abutting against said squib holder area during theconsolidation, to define together with that squib holder area aninclined abutting interface there between for causing a force reverse tosaid engagement direction during the consolidation and to be at leastpartially released in response to the engagement of the latch means withthe complementary latch means in fully mated condition.
 6. Connectionsystem of claim 5, wherein said unmating means (180) being supported insaid housing and axially movable from the outside of the housing reverseto the mating direction from a first position to a second position, andwherein complementary interacting cam means (185, 137) are providedbetween each said locking arm (134) and said unmating means (180) forapplying a force to said locking arm (134) reverse to said engagementdirection in response to moving the unmating means from said first tosaid second position for disengaging said locking arm latch means (135)out of said complementary latch means (211).
 7. Connection system ofclaim 6 wherein said complementary interacting cam-means are in looseengagement in said first position and are in full engagement in saidsecond position.
 8. Connection system of claim 5, wherein each of saidlocking arm latch means (135) and said complementary latch means (211)being formed with a surface adapted for preventing axial separation,each said surface is planar and is in a plane generally perpendicular tosaid mating axis at least during interengagement.
 9. Connection systemof claim 5, wherein each of the locking arm latch means and thecomplementary latch means is formed hook-like.
 10. Connection system ofclaim 5, wherein said locking arm latch means is formed at the free endof said locking arm male-like extending outwardly in radial directionand is adapted to be firstly mechanically stressed by said squibholder-area in response to the consolidation and then to be caught bysaid complementary latch means having a female-like groove. 11.Connection system of claim 5, wherein the unmating means comprises foreach said locking arm a corresponding unmating arm and saidcomplementary interacting cam means are provided between each saidlocking arm (134) and said corresponding unmating arm.
 12. Connectionsystem of claim 6, wherein each of said unmating arm is joint to a barmeans being in said first position generally aligned with a squibconnector outer surface opposite to the mating coupling side butproviding access for its actuation.
 13. Connection system of claim 1,wherein the unmating means (180) has a shunt deactivating means (186),said deactivating means being adapted for pushing in response to saidfirst position and to said fully mated condition a resilientshort-circuiting contact portion of a shunt means mounted in said squibholder.
 14. Connection system of claim 5, wherein said mating couplingside is provided with a scoop-proof mating interface for the squibholder contact terminals to be electrically coupled with respectivecomplementary contact terminals of the squib connector.
 15. Connectionsystem of claim 14, wherein said mating interface comprises for each ofsaid squib holder contact terminals a receptacle having a hemisphericaldrifting insertion opening for guiding said squib holder contactterminals into said receptacle.
 16. A squib connector adapted for usefor a connection system according to claim 1, said connector having ahousing (110, 130) defining a mating axis (M_(A)), a mating direction(M_(D)) and a mating coupling side.
 17. Squib connector of claim 16,said squib connector having at least one locking arm (134) beingcantilevered attached to said housing, extending in the mating direction(M_(D)) and providing a restoring force to be elastically bent by aforce applied in a general inwardly radial direction with regard to saidmating axis (M_(A)), unmating means (180) being supported in saidhousing and axially movable from the outside reverse to the matingdirection (M_(D)) from a first position to a second position with regardto said housing, each said locking arm (134) has latch means (135) beingadapted for securely engaging in a general outwardly radial directioncomplementary latch means (211) of a squib holder in fully matedcondition of the squib connector and the squib holder connector, eachsaid locking arm (135) being adapted to be automatically impact by aforce applied in said inwardly radial direction in response toconsolidating the squib connector and the squib holder and to be atleast partially released in response to said fully mated condition forautomatically interengaging said locking arm latch means (135) with saidcomplementary latch means (211) of said squib holder in, and whereincomplementary interacting cam means (185, 137) are provided between eachsaid locking arm (134) and said unmating means (180) for applying aforce to said locking arm (134) in said inwardly radial direction inresponse to moving the unmating means from said first to said secondposition for disengaging said locking arm latch means (135) in saidfully mated condition.
 18. Squib connector of claim 17, furthercharacterized in that each said cam means is provided by a V-like notchformed at the unmating means and by a kind of wedge formed at thelocking arm, said V-like notch being open reverse to the matingdirection (M_(D)) and said apex or vertex of said wedge is directed inthe mating direction (M_(D)).
 19. Squib connector of claim 18, furthercharacterized in that said notch and said wedge being in looseengagement in said first position and said wedge has a radial outwardlyoffset to said notch in said first position.
 20. Squib connector ofclaim 16, further characterized in that each said locking arm beingadapted to axially abut against a squib holder area comprising saidcomplementary latch means, and to form between said locking arm and saidsquib holder-area at least one inclined abutting interface.
 21. Squibconnector of claim 16, further characterized in that each of saidlocking arm latch means (135) being formed with a surface adapted forpreventing axial separation during interengagement, said surface beingformed to provide a plane generally perpendicular to said mating axis atleast during interengagement.
 22. Squib connector of claim 17, furthercharacterized in that said unmating means (180) comprises at least oneprotrusion adapted for only pushing in response to said first positionand to said fully mated condition at least resilient short-circuitingcontact portion of a shunt means mounted in said complementary squibholder for deactivating said short-circuiting contact portion.
 23. Squibconnector of claim 22, wherein the unmating means comprises for eachsaid locking arm a corresponding unmating arm having respective one saidprotrusion adapted for pushing respective one resilient short-circuitingcontact portion.
 24. Squib connector of claim 16, further characterizedin that said housing (130) provides a scoop-proof mating interface forsquib holder contact terminals to be electrically coupled withrespective contact terminals (141) of the squib connector.
 25. Squibconnector of claim 24, wherein said mating interface comprises for eachof said squib holder contact terminals a receptacle having ahemispherical drifting insertion opening for guiding said squibholder-contact terminal into said receptacle.
 26. Squib connector ofclaim 24, comprising at least one ground terminal (142) having adimension adapted to come into permanent contact with shunt means of thesquib holder prior to the coupling of the complementary contactterminals of the squib connector and the squib holder.
 27. Squibconnector of claim 16, further characterized by sealing meansincorporated within said connector for sealing the interior.
 28. Squibconnector of claim 27, wherein the sealing means comprises at least onesealing gasket arranged within the housing and/or a silicone gelinjected or assembled into the housing.
 29. Squib connector of claim 16,wherein a circular gasket is attached at the mating coupling side of thehousing for interfacial sealing between the housing and the matedcomplementary squib holder.